Fired reporter kills 2 former co-workers on live TV

MONETA, Va. (AP) -- A TV reporter and cameraman were shot to death on live television Wednesday by their former colleague, a journalist who also recorded himself carrying out the killings and then posted the video on social media.

The gunman, who was fired in 2013 from WDBJ in Roanoke, Virginia, fled the scene and went online, posting the video on Facebook and Twitter. He also reportedly faxed a 23-page manifesto and "suicide note" to ABC News, describing himself as a "human powder keg" that was "just waiting to go BOOM!!!!"

Vester Lee Flanagan II, 41, who appeared on WDBJ as Bryce Williams, had evidently been planning the attack for some time, authorities said. As he fled, he switched vehicles, picking up a rental car he had previously reserved at an airport. Troopers caught up with him hours later and hundreds of miles away after he fatally shot himself and ran off the road.

The live spot by reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward was nothing out of the ordinary: They were interviewing a local official at an outdoor shopping mall for a tourism story. Then, at about 6:45 a.m., morning show viewers saw her suddenly scream and run, crying "Oh my God," as she fell. Ward fell, too, and the camera he had been holding on his shoulder captured a fleeting image of the suspect holding a handgun.

WDBJ quickly switched back to the anchor at the station, her eyes large and jaw dropping as she said, "OK, not sure what happened there." The station later went live again, reporting on their own staff as the story developed.

Parker and Ward died at the scene after the gunman fired about 15 shots. Their interview subject, Vicki Gardner, was in stable condition later Wednesday after surgery for her wounds.

Video posted on Bryce Williams' Twitter account and Facebook page hours later showed an outstretched arm holding the handgun. The shooter walked up to the victims and stood a few feet away, but with all three in the midst of the live TV interview, none seemed to notice. The gunman waited until Ward's camera was pointed at Parker, and then fired repeatedly.

WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT: AOL.com has decided not to run the full video, but collected still images of the video that show its extremely graphic content in the gallery below.

Footage shared from a Twitter account belonging Vester Lee Flanagan, also known as Bryce Williams, appears to show him shooting two journalists in Virginia on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015.

(Photo via Twitter)

Footage shared from a Twitter account belonging Vester Lee Flanagan, also known as Bryce Williams, appears to show him shooting two journalists in Virginia on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015.

(Photo via Twitter)

Footage shared from a Twitter account belonging Vester Lee Flanagan, also known as Bryce Williams, appears to show him shooting two journalists in Virginia on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015.

(Photo via Twitter)

Footage shared from a Twitter account belonging Vester Lee Flanagan, also known as Bryce Williams, appears to show him shooting two journalists in Virginia on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015.

(Photo via Twitter)

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Flanagan was described by Jeffrey Marks, WDBJ's president and general manager as an "an unhappy man" and "difficult to work with," always "looking out for people to say things he could take offense to."

"Eventually after many incidents of his anger coming to the fore, we dismissed him. He did not take that well," Marks explained, adding that police had to escort him out of the station when he was fired.

See photos from the scene and developments on social media:

38PHOTOS

Alison Parker and Adam Ward -- WDBJ on-air shooting

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Fired reporter kills 2 former co-workers on live TV

ROANOKE, VA - SEPTEMBER 01: A picture of slain WDBJ photojournalists Adam Ward and Alison Parker is seen at a make shift memorial outside the station September 1, 2015 in Roanoke, Virginia. Friends and families gathered at a celebration of life at First Baptist Church earlier to remember Ward, who was shot during a live broadcast reporting, along with reporter Alison Parker. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Roanoke residents Josh Olinger, 27, left, and Frank House hold a sign of support as friends and family gather at First Baptist Church for the funeral of television cameraman Adam Ward in Roanoke, Virginia, September 1, 2015. Ward and Reporter Alison Parker were slain during a live interview August 26 by disgruntled former employee Vester Flanagan, who later shot himself and died. REUTERS/Jason Miczek

WDBJ TV weatherman Leo Hirshbrunner(L) views the makeshift memorial with members of the crew at the gate of WDBJ's television studios August 27, 2015, in Roanoke, Virginia. The former television reporter who shot dead two journalists during a live US broadcast before killing himself warned he had been a 'human powder keg... just waiting to go BOOM.' The gunman -- Vester Lee Flanagan, 41, also known as Bryce Williams --posted chilling footage of Wednesday's shocking double murder online. Reporter Alison Parker, 24, and cameraman Adam Ward, 27, were shot and killed at close range while conducting an on-air interview for WDBJ, a CBS affiliate in Roanoke, Virginia, about 240 miles (385 kilometers) southwest of Washington. Friends, family and the community at large mourned the tragedy, which renewed calls for tougher gun laws in the United States. Flanagan was said to have bought his gun legally. AFP PHOTO/PAUL J. RICHARDS (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)

Chris Hurst (R), a journalist at the station and boyfriend of slain journalist Alison Parker, speaks with journalists outside of the offices for WDBJ7, where slain journalists Parker and Adam Ward worked in Roanoke, Virginia August 27, 2015. Parker, 24, and Ward, 27, were shot dead on Wednesday during a live segment for the CBS affiliate in Roanoke, Virginia, at a local recreation site about 200 miles (320 km) southwest of Washington. Another woman was wounded. The suspected gunman, 41-year-old Vester Flanagan, later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said. REUTERS/Chris Keane

People gather outside Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens as the funeral procession approaches for television cameraman Adam Ward in Roanoke, Virginia, September 1, 2015. Ward and Reporter Alison Parker were slain during a live interview August 26 by disgruntled former employee Vester Flanagan, who later shot himself and died. REUTERS/Jason Miczek TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) (L) greets Andy Parker (C), the father of slain WDBJ reporter Alison Parker who was shot and killed on live TV in August, as they arrive to participate in a rally against gun violence, on the U.S. Capitol grounds in Washington September 10, 2015. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

A picture of slain journalists Alison Parker and Adam Ward is seen next to candles at a memorial outside of the offices for WDBJ7 in Roanoke, Virginia August 27, 2015. Parker, 24, and Ward, 27, were shot dead on Wednesday during a live segment for the CBS affiliate in Roanoke, Virginia, at a local recreation site about 200 miles (320 km) southwest of Washington. Another woman was wounded. The suspected gunman, 41-year-old Vester Flanagan, later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said. REUTERS/Chris Keane

WDBJ 7 President and General Manager Jeffrey A. Marks (R) leads mourners to First Baptist Church for the funeral of television cameraman Adam Ward in Roanoke, Virginia September 1, 2015. Ward and Reporter Alison Parker were slain during a live interview in August 26 by disgruntled former employee Vester Flanagan, who later shot himself and died. REUTERS/Jason Miczek

RICHMOND, VA - SEPTEMBER 11: A detailed view of a decal on the rear bumper on the #83 James Madison University Toyota, during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway on September 11, 2015 in Richmond, Virginia. The decal remembers the life of Alison Parker, a WDBJ-TV reporter who was killed on air last month in Roanoke, Virginia. (Photo by Rainier Ehrhardt/NASCAR via Getty Images)

ROANOKE, VA - SEPTEMBER 01: People embrace each other as they come out from First Baptist Church after a celebration of life for slain WDBJ photojournalist Adam Ward September 1, 2015 in Roanoke, Virginia. Friends and families gathered to remember Ward, who was shot during a live broadcast reporting, along with reporter Alison Parker. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

A cameraman does some close up shots at WDBJ-TV's television studios on August 27, 2015, in Roanoke, Virginia. The former television reporter who shot dead two journalists during a live US broadcast before killing himself warned he had been a 'human powder keg... just waiting to go BOOM.' The gunman -- Vester Lee Flanagan, 41, also known as Bryce Williams --posted chilling footage of Wednesday's shocking double murder online. Reporter Alison Parker, 24, and cameraman Adam Ward, 27, were shot and killed at close range while conducting an on-air interview at the shopping center for WDBJ, a CBS affiliate in Roanoke, Virginia, about 240 miles (385 kilometers) southwest of Washington. Friends, family and the community at large mourned the tragedy, which renewed calls for tougher gun laws in the United States. Flanagan was said to have bought his gun legally. AFP PHOTO/PAUL J. RICHARDS (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)

Staffers at WDBJ-TV hold hands to comfort each other during a press conference with WDBJ'S General Manager, Jeff Marksa at WDBJ's television studios on August 27, 2015, in Roanoke, Virginia. The former television reporter who shot dead two journalists during a live US broadcast before killing himself warned he had been a 'human powder keg... just waiting to go BOOM.' The gunman -- Vester Lee Flanagan, 41, also known as Bryce Williams --posted chilling footage of Wednesday's shocking double murder online. Reporter Alison Parker, 24, and cameraman Adam Ward, 27, were shot and killed at close range while conducting an on-air interview at the shopping center for WDBJ, a CBS affiliate in Roanoke, Virginia, about 240 miles (385 kilometers) southwest of Washington. Friends, family and the community at large mourned the tragedy, which renewed calls for tougher gun laws in the United States. Flanagan was said to have bought his gun legally. AFP PHOTO/PAUL J. RICHARDS (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)

ROANOKE, VA - AUGUST 27: Jeff Marks, General Manager for WDBJ TV talks to the press about the two journalists that were killed on August 27, 2015 in Roanoke, Virginia. Two employees of WDBJ TV were killed during a live broadcast at Bridgewater Plaza on Smith Mountain Lake on August 26. The victims have been identified as reporter Alison Parker and camerman Adam Ward. Parker, 24 and Ward, 27, worked for WDBJ in Roanoke, Virginia. The suspect, Vester Lee Flanigan, also known as Bryce Williams, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. (Photo by Jay Paul/Getty Images)

A Franklin County Deputy Sheriff uses his cellphone as he guards the shopping center at Smith Mountain Lake and the Regional Chamber of Commerece August 27, 2015, in Moneta, Virginia. The former television reporter who shot dead two journalists during a live US broadcast before killing himself warned he had been a 'human powder keg... just waiting to go BOOM.' The gunman -- Vester Lee Flanagan, 41, also known as Bryce Williams --posted chilling footage of Wednesday's shocking double murder online. Reporter Alison Parker, 24, and cameraman Adam Ward, 27, were shot and killed at close range while conducting an on-air interview at the shopping center for WDBJ, a CBS affiliate in Roanoke, Virginia, about 240 miles (385 kilometers) southwest of Washington. Friends, family and the community at large mourned the tragedy, which renewed calls for tougher gun laws in the United States. Flanagan was said to have bought his gun legally. AFP PHOTO/PAUL J. RICHARDS (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)

MONETA, VA - AUGUST 26: Franklin County, Virginia sheriff, Bill Overton speaks to the press on August 26, 2015 in Moneta, Virginia. Two employees of WDBJ TV were killed this morning during a live broadcast at Bridgewater Plaza on Smith Mountain Lake. The victims have been identified as reporter Alison Parker and camerman Adam Ward. Parker, 24 and Ward, 27, worked for WDBJ in Roanoke, Virginia. The suspect, Vester Lee Flanigan, also known as Bryce Williams, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. (Photo by Jay Paul/Getty Images)

MONETA, VA - AUGUST 26: Police work the crime scene at Bridgewater Plaza on Smith Mountain Lake on August 26, 2015 in Moneta, Virginia. Two employees of WDBJ TV were killed this morning during a live broadcast. The victims have been identified as reporter Alison Parker and camerman Adam Ward. Parker, 24 and Ward, 27, worked for WDBJ in Roanoke, Virginia. The suspect, Vester Lee Flanigan, also known as Bryce Williams, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. (Photo by Jay Paul/Getty Images)

MONETA, VA - AUGUST 26: The TV truck that journalists Alison Parker and Adam Ward drove before they were killed this morning during a live broadcast sits in a parking lot near the scene on August 26, 2015 in Moneta, Virginia. Two employees of WDBJ TV were killed this morning during a live broadcast at Bridgewater Plaza on Smith Mountain Lake. The victims have been identified as reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward. Parker, 24 and Ward, 27, worked for WDBJ in Roanoke, Virginia. The suspect, Vester Lee Flanigan, also known as Bryce Williams, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. (Photo by Jay Paul/Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - August 26: Virginia State Police, as well as local and federal authorities, investigate the scene on Interstate 66 eastbound where Vester Lee Flanagan II crashed his car after being pursued by state police near Linden, Va., Wednesday, August 26, 2015. Flanagan was being pursued after fatally shooting WDBJ-TV cameraman Adam Ward and reporter Alison Parker during an on-air interview in Moneta, Va. Flanagan was a former journalist at the television station, where he appeared on air as Bryce Williams. Photo By Al Drago/CQ Roll Call)

MONETA, VA - AUGUST 26: Franklin County, Virginia sheriff, Bill Overton speaks to the press on August 26, 2015 in Moneta, Virginia. Two employees of WDBJ TV were killed this morning during a live broadcast at Bridgewater Plaza on Smith Mountain Lake. The victims have been identified as reporter Alison Parker and camerman Adam Ward. Parker, 24 and Ward, 27, worked for WDBJ in Roanoke, Virginia. The suspect, Vester Lee Flanigan, also known as Bryce Williams, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. (Photo by Jay Paul/Getty Images)

We love you, Alison and Adam. http://t.co/hLSzQi06XE

It is with extreme sadness that we report WDBJ7's Alison Parker and Adam Ward were killed in an attack this morning.
http://t.co/oC9s4vLJXV

Very sad moment in the newsroom as the WDBJ GM confirms that both the reporter and photographer are dead. Senseless http://t.co/qWvWd55UZh

We didn't share this publicly, but @AParkerWDBJ7 and I were very much in love. We just moved in together. I am numb. http://t.co/tUrHVwAXcN

We were together almost nine months. It was the best nine months of our lives. We wanted to get married.We just celebrated her 24th birthday

Others at the station said it was particularly hard for Ott, who watched the shooting unfold from the control room.

"Adam was our go-to guy. He pretty much was available to do anything that we asked," said WDBJ spokesman Mike Morgan. "He did live shots during our morning show for several years."

Tweets posted on Williams' Twitter account Wednesday described workplace conflicts with both victims. They say Williams filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against Parker, and that Ward had reported Williams to human resources.

Marks said Williams alleged that other employees made racially tinged comments to him, but said his EEOC claim was dismissed and none of his allegations could be corroborated.

"We think they were fabricated," Marks said.

The following social media posts were reportedly on accounts believed to be run by Flanagan, who goes by Bryce Williams on air:

15PHOTOS

Suspected shooter Vester Flanagan (Bryce Williams)

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Fired reporter kills 2 former co-workers on live TV

Social media shared from a Twitter account belonging to Vester Lee Flanagan, also known as Bryce Williams, the suspect in the shooting of two journalists in Virginia on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015.

Social media shared from a Twitter account belonging to Vester Lee Flanagan, also known as Bryce Williams, the suspect in the shooting of two journalists in Virginia on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015.

Social media shared from a Twitter account belonging to Vester Lee Flanagan, also known as Bryce Williams, the suspect in the shooting of two journalists in Virginia on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015.

Social media shared from a Twitter account belonging to Vester Lee Flanagan, also known as Bryce Williams, the suspect in the shooting of two journalists in Virginia on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015.

Social media shared from a Facebook account belonging to Vester Lee Flanagan, also known as Bryce Williams, the suspect in the shooting of two journalists in Virginia on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015.

Social media shared from a Facebook account belonging to Vester Lee Flanagan, also known as Bryce Williams, the suspect in the shooting of two journalists in Virginia on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015.

Social media shared from a Facebook account belonging to Vester Lee Flanagan, also known as Bryce Williams, the suspect in the shooting of two journalists in Virginia on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015.

Social media shared from a Facebook account belonging to Vester Lee Flanagan, also known as Bryce Williams, the suspect in the shooting of two journalists in Virginia on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015.

Social media shared from a Twitter account belonging to Vester Lee Flanagan, also known as Bryce Williams, the suspect in the shooting of two journalists in Virginia on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015.

Social media shared from a Twitter account belonging to Vester Lee Flanagan, also known as Bryce Williams, the suspect in the shooting of two journalists in Virginia on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015.

Social media shared from a LinkedIn account belonging to Vester Lee Flanagan, also known as Bryce Williams, the suspect in the shooting of two journalists in Virginia on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015.

Social media shared from a LinkedIn account belonging to Vester Lee Flanagan, also known as Bryce Williams, the suspect in the shooting of two journalists in Virginia on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015.

Social media shared from a LinkedIn account belonging to Vester Lee Flanagan, also known as Bryce Williams, the suspect in the shooting of two journalists in Virginia on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015.

Social media shared from a LinkedIn account belonging to Vester Lee Flanagan, also known as Bryce Williams, the suspect in the shooting of two journalists in Virginia on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015.

Social media shared from a Twitter account belonging to Vester Lee Flanagan, also known as Bryce Williams, the suspect in the shooting of two journalists in Virginia on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015.

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ABC News reported that a man claiming to be Williams called the network, saying he had just shot two people, and was faxing them a 23-page document. That document is being analyzed by investigators, Franklin County Sheriff W.Q. "Bill" Overton Jr. said at a news conference.

According to the network, the man claiming to be Flanagan says in the "suicide note" that he bought a gun two days after the Charleston, South Carolina church shootings, seeking revenge for racial discrimination, sexual harassment and workplace bullying he said he suffered as a gay black man.

"This gentleman was disturbed at the way things had turned out at some point in his life. Things were spiraling out of control," Overton said.

The shooting happened around 6:45 a.m. at Bridgewater Plaza in Franklin County, as Parker interviewed Gardner about the upcoming 50th anniversary festivities for Smith Mountain Lake, a local tourism destination.